Woman Who Sued Actor Fox Wins Damages

A Los Angeles Superior Court jury awarded $104,386 in damages to a woman who bought a Studio City home from actor Michael J. Fox and then sued the movie star for landscaping and repairs.

Michele Ader said Wednesday in a telephone interview that the jury ordered Fox to pay the damages after finding he breached a contract over the sale of the home. The same jury found Fox had not committed fraud or negligent misrepresentation.

Drew Pomerance, an attorney representing Ader, had asked the jury to award his client more than $325,000--nearly half the $750,000 selling price of the home--to replace 14 cypress trees and other landscaping and to repair a damaged pool, a leaky roof and a potential problem with the home’s foundation.

Attorneys for Fox could not be reached for comment after business hours. However, one of them, Martin Snyder, told the Associated Press that while he disagreed with the verdict, “obviously, the jury felt that some of the repairs had not been attended to.”

Snyder said he would consult with Fox to decide whether to ask a judge to reduce the award.

“We disagree with the calculation of amounts,” he said.

Ader said that in addition to the $104,386 damage award, the actor will also be responsible for her legal fees, which she estimates at $150,000.